The Texas A&M Aggies are preparing for the biggest game of the season against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday and while Johnny Manziel has been cleared by the NCAA for his "autograph scandal" from earlier in the season, that hasn't stopped ESPN from reporting on the story and now they have obtained a picture of the quarterback doing it.
According to ESPN.com, Darren Rovell and the company were able to get their hands on a photo of Manziel signing photos of himself and he is doing it next to man identified as Drew Tieman, who is a memorabilia broker in the South Florida area. Manziel previously was cleared by the NCAA after no evidence was found that he was paid for giving his signature to any photos or other items, but this is the first photographic proof that has come out that Manziel signed the photos.
While no money was proven to have changed hands (with many thinking it was cash and that Manziel was too smart to put it in the bank himself), the photo with Tieman is telling based on who he is and the report also says that he signed over 1,000 items for Tieman. Rovell has previously reported on the story that the signings occurred during the national championship game earlier this year and courses told him that Manziel was paid a five-figure fee for the autographs.
Manziel has had the spotlight on him all offseason and during this season and he took some criticism for his taunting during the first game of the year against Rice. Sources in the report also said that Manziel signed over 4,000 items during various signing sessions and while the photo shows that Manziel did sign things, there was no real evidence that he violated the rule, but the NCAA stated that he violated the spirit of the rules and that is why he was suspended.
Manziel and Texas A&M are 2-0 this season after defeating Rice and Sam Houston State and while the team is averaging nearly 60 points per game, the defense hasn't been very stout, allowing nearly 30 points per game to mediocre opponents and now they are playing a champion in Alabama. Manziel defeated Alabama last season to give the Crimson Tide their only loss and the team will play SMU, Arkansas and Ole Miss on the schedule before hosting Auburn. The season ends with LSU and Missouri on the road.
